CV and BiodataMarriage biodata format: what to write and in what order
A marriage biodata is an introduction, not a certificate. One honest, well-ordered page tells another family who you are and whether to talk further.
What it is for
In an arranged or introduced marriage, families usually exchange a one-page biodata before they meet. It gives the basic facts about the person and the family, so that both sides can decide whether a conversation is worthwhile. It should be truthful, short and easy to read on a phone, since most biodatas today travel as a PDF or picture on WhatsApp.
The usual order
- Top line (optional). Many families begin with a short religious or auspicious line of their own tradition. It is a matter of custom; leave it out if you prefer.
- Title: BIODATA.
- Personal details.
- Education and occupation.
- Family details.
- Horoscope details, only if your family follows this.
- About me and partner preference: a few lines each.
- Contact details.
Personal details
| Line | Notes |
|---|---|
| Full name | As on your documents |
| Date of birth | Day, month and year. Time and place of birth only if horoscopes will be matched |
| Height | In feet and inches, as families usually ask |
| Marital status | Never married, divorced, widowed. State it plainly; if there are children, say so |
| Religion and community | If it matters to your family; otherwise omit or write "no bar" under preference |
| Mother tongue; languages | Useful when families are from different regions |
| Diet | Vegetarian, eggetarian, non-vegetarian |
| Current city | Where you live and work now |
You do not have to describe complexion or weight. Many families now leave these out, and a photograph makes them unnecessary.
Education and occupation
Highest qualification with the institution, then occupation: designation, employer or nature of business, and city. Income is optional. If you give it, give an honest annual figure or range; an inflated figure is the most common cause of bad feeling later.
Family details
Father's and mother's names and occupations, brothers and sisters with whether married and what they do, native place, and whether the family is joint or nuclear. More help is on the family details page.
About me and partner preference
Three or four natural sentences about your nature, interests and what you hope for say more than a list of adjectives. See the about me examples and partner preference wording.
Contact details
Name and relationship of the person to contact (usually a parent or elder sibling), one phone number, and the city. Think before you add a full home address: a biodata is forwarded far beyond the people you send it to. See sharing a biodata safely.
A sample
BIODATA
Personal details
Name: Ananya Deshpande
Date of birth: 14 August 1998
Height: 5 feet 4 inches
Marital status: Never married
Mother tongue: Marathi
Diet: Vegetarian
Current city: Pune
Education and occupation
Education: M.Sc. (Computer Science), a university in Pune
Occupation: Software engineer with a private company, Pune
Family details
Father: Shri Prakash Deshpande, retired bank manager
Mother: Smt. Vandana Deshpande, homemaker
Brother: One elder brother, married, engineer in Mumbai
Native place: Nagpur
Family: Nuclear, middle class, educated
About me
I enjoy my work, classical music and weekend treks. I am close to my family and value honesty and a sense of humour.
Contact
Contact person: Shri Prakash Deshpande (father)
Phone: 98XXX XXX10
City: Nagpur
All names here are invented. The marriage biodata maker lays out your own details like this on one A4 page, with an optional photo, and nothing is uploaded.
Mistakes to avoid
- Untrue or stretched facts about age, education, income, job or an earlier marriage. They always come out.
- Too much: two or three pages listing every uncle's designation.
- Too little: a name and a phone number.
- Demands phrased harshly in the preference section.
- Identity numbers, salary slips or full addresses on a document that will be forwarded.
- A heavily edited photograph. A recent, natural one is best.
- Sending it without the person's own agreement. The biodata should be one its subject has read and is comfortable with.
Questions people ask
How long should a marriage biodata be?
One page. It should be easy to read on a phone and give the main facts about the person and family.
Is it necessary to mention income?
No, it is optional. If you mention it, give an honest figure or range.
Should horoscope details be included?
Only if your family follows horoscope matching. Otherwise leave that section out.